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Tina Plamer post to Facebook.."For those of you who don't know yet, my beautiful baby boy was killed in Afghanistan yesterday. He was such a good person. Everyone who knew him, loved him. He was everything a mom hopes and prays their child will be. He was the sweetest little boy. He grew into an amazing man who was so loving, so compassionate, so wise, and probably the funniest person I know. Dillon never cared about what other people thought. He loved his mama, his family, and his friends with everything he had. He also loved his country and wanted to defend, serve, and protect. He did just that. He died doing what he wanted to be doing. He went out with his boots on as they say. I want to thank all of his friends who have reached out to me and posted such beautiful things about him. I choose to remember the good times, and they are countless. When he was two he told Santa Claus that his breath stunk. There was never a dull moment from that point on. He was such a bright spot to so many. I am so very proud of him. He is my role model and my hero. He is being flown to Dover Airforce base. He comes home tomorrow. I will be there to welcome him home to the country he loves. I will continue to post updates as I get them. As soon as arrangements are made I will get the information out. I welcome anyone who wants to come and stay with me. Just bring a sleeping bag and pillow. If you can get here, you have a place to stay. Let's honor his life together."

Sergeant Dillon C. Baldridge was killed in action and went to his eternal home Saturday, June 10, 2017. The 22-year-old soldier died from wounds sustained in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Baldridge was born July 18, 1994 in Raleigh, NC, and grew up in the neighboring town of Youngsville, where his friends remember him as funny, sensitive, and dedicated to serving others. At a young age, he decided to become a soldier, and he joined the Army right out of high school. He re-enlisted in 2016 saying, “I love this job too much to walk away from it.”

He was a proud infantryman assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT. His best friend and fellow soldier Bill Walsh described him as an intelligent and motivated person who “always improved not only his own skills but the men around him.” Another of Baldridge’s fellow soldiers, Kage Weinstock, said Baldridge always had “the right words of wisdom,” adding “Dillon would want us to live and love like he did. He would want us to be happy, smile more, keep pushing to meet our goals, follow our dreams…and wake up every day to take on the world.”

More than anything, Baldridge loved his family. From the day he was born, he was adored by his parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and memories from his childhood still bring a wide smile to their faces. “As a young child, Dillon would just spontaneously belt out a song in the middle of a restaurant just to bring people joy,” said his maternal grandmother Debbie Horan.

He is survived by his mother, Tina Palmer, and father, Christopher Baldridge. Also mourning this great loss are his step-father Tom Palmer, step-mother, Jessie Baldridge, and siblings Zachary Palmer, Isabel Palmer, Ethan Baldridge, Lucas Baldridge, and Shelby Baldridge.

Baldridge was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. His prior awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with three oak clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and the Expert Infantryman Badge.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, June 23, 2017 at Ashe County High School Auditorium. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens with military honors.

Badger Funeral Home and Ashelawn Memorial Chapel and Gardens were entrusted with Sgt. Baldridge's arrangements.